I've used subscription-based software for years, both as a freelancer and in a small agency, and the perpetual license model keeps calling me back. Last month I paid $89 for a design tool's yearly subscription, but I know a colleague who bought the same software outright for $299 six years ago and still uses it daily without extra fees. My worry is that subscription pricing hides long-term costs, especially for small businesses that need predictable budgets. Is the convenience of always getting updates honestly worth paying forever, or are we just accepting a rental economy because it feels easier?